KGP Race Report – Canterbury 10 – Tunbridge Wells Harriers

KGP gets off to a very competitive start!

Warmer condition than last year saw in the start of the 2018 Kent Grand Prix road racing calendar on Sunday morning as Team Harriers made their way to Canterbury for the traditional 10-mile race to kick off the season! 30 deckchairs (24 men and 6 ladies) took to the start line, with some newbie’s lining up for either their first race as a Harrier, first 10-mile, or their first attempt at Canterbury! The atmosphere was very competitive with a noticeable amount of Tonbridge shirts, usually unheard of at a KGP, but story goes this was a good substitute for the Southern Cross Country, which they are not competing in this year!

Canterbury is an undulating course with some notable hills at miles 4 & 7, but the last mile is downhill (thankfully). The race was again well organized, and the new HQ a vast improvement on previous years. In total 1,390 runners completed the out-and-back course, with last year’s winner, Abel Tsegay (Invicta East Kent) again coming home first in 51:12, and first lady was Nicole Taylor (Tonbridge AC) in 58:33.

Harrier Results (Individual times listed below)

Congratulation to all, there were some great achievements, PBs, Club Records and running from the team, here’s how we finished and I will leave Bob to confirm them all on Wednesday.

First Harrier home in 59:09 was Craig Chapman (18^th) followed by Andy Howey in 59:34 (22^nd) – 1st M50 and taking the Club M55 Record, James Sarre was next in 62:45 (41^st), his first 10-mile race. For our ladies Harriet Woolley was first in 68:59 (130^th), followed by Pru Clements in 69:17 (135^th) and then Hayley Larkin in 72:07 (188^th) who also achieved a PB.

So, with one race completed, here’s where we stand

It was a large and very competitive field, so a tough one for the men currently in fifth, but a good result for the ladies in second, and with only 6 competing. So, a good and early start to the season. But, there is always room for improvement, so let’s try and maintain a strong presence for the remaining nine races.

Men (first six to score for team)

1	Canterbury Harriers	476
2	Tonbridge AC	445
3	Medway & Maidstone AC	428
4	Dartford Road Runners	375
5	Tunbridge Wells Harriers	367

Ladies (first four to score for team)

1	Tonbridge AC	129
2	Tunbridge Wells Harriers	126
3	Dartford Road Runners	123
4	Petts Wood Runners	115
5	Orpington Road Runners	96

Thanks again to all those that ran, remember it always great to have a minimum team of ten (six men and four ladies) to collect the maximum KGP points, which count towards the team scores. But, as always, the more the merrier as you take points away from the competition.

What’s next and how can I sign-up?

Use the link below to see the remaining KGP races for 2018, which includes; online entry, cost and location details for each race.

https://www.twharriers.org.uk/events/category/kgp/list/

The next race is on home ground, our very own Half Marathon, which is perfect as most of the club will be around, so a fantastic opportunity! But, as you know it does create a challenge for us, as everyone is required to help with the organization, but hopefully we will also have a good turnout of runners!

Thanks for your support

Craig Chapman

TWHs Road Race Captain

Individual Harrier results, including KGP pts won

Place	First Name	Last Name	Chip Time	Age Group	KGP Pts
18	Craig	Chapman	00:59:10	M 40 to 49	86
22	Andrew	Howey	00:59:34	M 50 to 59	82
41	James	Sarre	01:02:45	M 40 to 49	68
75	michael	king	01:05:40	M – Senior	50
84	Alexander	Holmes	01:06:26	M 40 to 49	44
Unofficially	Simon	Howden	01:06:49	M 40 to 49
96	Matthew	Clements	01:07:07	M 40 to 49	37
106	Alex	Blackall	01:07:32	M – Senior	30
110	Matthew	Clark	01:07:47	M 40 to 49	27
113	Casper	Morris	01:07:53	M 40 to 49	25
116	Neil	Clark	01:08:04	M 40 to 49	24
130	Harriet	Woolley	01:08:59	F Senior	40
135	Pru	Clements	01:09:17	F 35 to 44	38
165	Stephen	Austin	01:10:48	M 50 to 59	5
188	Hayley	Larkin	01:12:07	F Senior	27
199	Martin	Hobbs	01:12:20	M 40 to 49
224	Michael	Russell	01:13:26	M 50 to 59
229	Simon	Holford	01:13:37	M 40 to 49
232	Nicola	Morris	01:13:41	F 45 to 54	21
256	George	Harris	01:14:39	M 40 to 49
276	Andrew	Joad	01:15:06	M 50 to 59
299	Sarah	Lavender	01:16:03	F Senior	11
399	Alex	Taylor	01:18:57	M 40 to 49
409	Andy	Page	01:19:12	M 50 to 59
641	Lesley	Page	01:26:23	F 35 to 44
666	Oliver	Smeed	01:27:02	M – Senior
714	Carol	Tsang	01:28:39	F 35 to 44
956	Rosie	Harris	01:36:39	F 35 to 44
1033	Andrew	Goodman	01:39:40	M – Senior
1389	Graham	Brooks	02:30:05	Male 70+